Articles About The Prostate
About The Prostate And Prostate Problems
The prostate is an organ in reproductive anatomy. This small gland sits directly below the bladder and plays a role in producing and fine-tuning semen.
The most important function is producing seminal fluid, which is a component of semen. It also plays a role in hormone production and helps regulate urine flow.
Prostate problems are common, especially in older men. The most common prostate problems include an inflamed prostate or prostatitis, an enlarged prostate or Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.
Symptoms of prostate problems often appear as difficulty to pee, which might include poor bladder control with urgency to pee or weak urine flow. Delay in starting to pee and not completely emptying the bladder
We are going to give you an overview of the prostate, including its function and structure, where it is, and what medical conditions can affect it.
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small gland, soft organ. On average, it is roughly the size of a walnut or a ping-pong ball. It weighs around 30 grams and is usually soft and smooth to the touch.
The prostate is located deep in the pelvis, between the penis and the bladder. It is possible to feel the prostate gland by introducing a finger into the rectum and pressing toward the front of the body.
The urethra, a tube that carries urine and semen out of the body, passes through the prostate. Because the prostate surrounds this tube, prostate enlargement or BPH and prostatitis can affect urine flow.
What does the prostate do?
The prostate is very important for fertility although a person does not require a functioning prostate to live. The following sections discuss the functions of the prostate and his problems
Helping to produce semen
The primary function of the prostate is to contribute prostatic fluid to semen. The prostate contributes 20–30% of fluid to the total semen volume. The remainder comes from the seminal vesicles (50–65%) and the testicles (5%).
Prostatic fluid contains components that make semen an ideal substance for sperm cells to live in, including enzymes, zinc, and citric acid. One important enzyme is Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA), which helps make the semen thinner and more fluid.
The fluid in semen helps the sperm travel down the urethra and survive the journey towards an egg, which is essential for reproduction.
Prostatic fluid is slightly acidic, but other components of semen make it alkaline overall. This is to counteract the acidity of the vagina and protect the sperm from damage.
Closing the urethra during ejaculation
During ejaculation, the prostate contracts and squirts prostatic fluid into the urethra. Here, it mixes with sperm cells and fluid from the seminal vesicles to create semen, which the body then expels.
When the prostate contracts during ejaculation, it closes off the opening between the bladder and urethra, pushing semen through at speed. This is why, in typical anatomic situations, it is impossible to urinate and ejaculate simultaneously.
Hormone metabolism
The prostate needs androgens, which are male sex hormones, such as testosterone to function correctly.
The prostate contains an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into a biologically active form called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is associated with development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate and reduction in its level with 5α-reductase inhibitors improves the symptoms associated with BPH and reduces the risk of acute urinary retention and prostate surgery.Dutasteride in traditional drugs and Betasitosterol in natural medicine are the most important to inhibit testosterona convertion in DHT.
This hormone is important for normal prostate development and function. In the developing male, it is crucial for the development of secondary sex characteristics, such as facial hair.
Structure of the prostate
A capsule of connective tissue that contains muscle fibers surrounds the prostate. This capsule makes the prostate feel elastic to the touch.
Scientists often categorize the prostate into four zones that surround the urethra like layers of an onion.
The following layers make up the prostate, beginning with the outer capsule and ending inside the prostate:
Anterior zone: Made of muscle and fibrous tissues, urologists call this zone the anterior fibromuscular zone.
Peripheral zone: Mostly situated toward the back of the gland, this is where most of the glandular tissue sits.
Central zone: This surrounds the ejaculatory ducts and makes up around 25% of the prostate’s total mass.
Transition zone: This is the part of the prostate that surrounds the urethra. It is the only portion of the prostate that continues to grow throughout life.
Symptoms of prostate problems
Prostate conditions often cause problems with urination or bladder control. These may include the following:
poor bladder control, including frequent bathroom visits
urinary urgency, sometimes with only a small amount of urine
difficulty starting the urine stream, or stopping and starting the stream while urinating
a weak or thin urine stream
Prostate problems can also cause problems with sexual function, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or in extreme cases, kidney failure.
If a person is unable to urinate at all, they should seek medical attention immediately.
A person should see their doctor if they notice any of the following symptoms:
pain while urinating or after ejaculation
pain in the penis, scrotum, or the area between the scrotum and anus
blood in the urine
severe discomfort in the abdomen
a weak urine stream or dribbling at the end of urinating
fever, chills, or body aches
trouble controlling the bladder, such as stopping or delaying urination
inability to empty the bladder completely
urine with an unusual color or odor
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in males after skin cancer. It affects approximately 12% males during their lifetime.
On average, people receive a prostate cancer diagnosis at age 66.
The American Cancer Society states that people can choose whether to get a prostate cancer screening based on their age and risk factors, but they should be aware of the potential risks of testing beforehand.
In prostate problems, prostatitis is a common swelling or inflammation of the prostate. This is the most common prostate problem in males under 50. Around 10–15% of males in the United States will get prostatitis.
Acute prostatitis is a sudden inflammation of the prostate. This can occur due to a bacterial infection. It appears suddenly and clears up quickly with appropriate antibiotic treatment.
When prostate inflammation lasts for longer than 3 months, it is known as chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is the most common prostate problem in males over 50
When the prostate enlarges, it presses and pinches the urethra, narrowing the urethra tube. The narrowing of the urethra and a reduced ability to empty the bladder cause many of the problems linked with this condition. As this condition persists, the bladder may become weaker and be unable to empty properly.
An enlarged prostate makes it difficult to urinate and, in rare cases, can prevent urination entirely. This is a condition called urinary retention, which requires urgent medical evaluation.
How to shrink an enlarged prostate
Prostate medical tests
Medical professionals can diagnose problems with the prostate using various types of prostate exams.
Common prostate exams include:
Digital rectal examination: During this exam, the doctor inserts a finger into the rectum and feels the prostate to detect lumps, nodules, and signs of cancer.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): Blood tests can assess the levels of this PSA. High levels indicate an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Prostate biopsy: If a doctor suspects cancer, they can take a small sample of prostate tissue for testing. To do this, they insert a needle into the prostate via the rectum.
Prostate ultrasound: Urologists may refer to this as a transrectal ultrasound. During the procedure, the medical professional inserts a probe into the rectum, positioning it close to the prostate. Urologists usually carry out biopsies with guidance from an ultrasound.
Prostate MRI: This can show prostate anatomy in great detail, including identifying areas suspicious for cancer. New technology allows targeting of these areas through an MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy.
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